Self-playing musical instrument.



L. B. DOMAN.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 19074 Patenn'ed Sept. 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

L. B. DOMAN.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1907. 1,1 1 1,'7 12. Patented sep1:.2.2, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. Z5/'9, 3, l5

l y. MM www "UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFIoE.

LEWIS'B. DOMAN, OF ELBRIDGE, NEW YORK.

SELF-PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEwts B. DoMAN, of Elbridge, in the county of Onondaga, in the State ot' New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Self-Playing Musical Instruments, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in self-playing musical instruments, and refers more particularly to the manually controlled mechanism for subduing or emphasizing one part of the musical composition, such as the melody or accompaniment relatively to the other part or parts, reference being had to my pending applications Nos. 563,111 tiled May 2l. 1910 and 671,871 filed January 18, 1912, both on hammer shiftingl mechanisms.

My object, therefore, is to enable the opcrator to emphasize or subdue at will, any one of the parts of a symphony, overture or other multi part of the musical composition throughout the whole selection, or any section thereof. This may be accomplished by any means which will enable the operator to shift at will one or more hammers in sets to and from the hammer-rail; that is, nearer to or farther from the strings.

Almost every piano is equipped with what is commonly known as a hammer-rest, or rail common to all the hammers, and movable bodily to shift all of the hammers simultaneously nearer to or farther from the strings to produce soft or loud-tone effects, according to its position.

The specific purpose of my present invention is to provide an auxiliary hammerrcst or rail made up of a series of separately movable sections, each capable of operating upon one or more of the hammers to shift such hammers from the main rail nearer to the strings and to hold certain of them in this position for subdued tones, while certain other sections are allowed to return to their normal positions to cause their hammers to produce loud-tone effects.

Other objects and uses relating to the specific ohjetts will be brought out in the following description.

ln the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a self-playing musical instrument embodying the. features of my Specification of Letters Pbtent.

Application led September 3. 1907.

l view of the same.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

Serial No. 391,190.

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the detached head or block containing the vent ducts for the primary pneumatics. Fig. -t is a perspective view, partly in section, of a modified form of hammer-controlling mechanism. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively horizontal and vertical sectional views, partly in elevation, of a modified form of vent controller.

In order to clearly demonstrate the practicability of my invention I have shown a portion of the strings -1-; hammers 2- and continuous hammer-rest or rail -3- of an upright piano2 the hammer-rail being in its normal positlon for supporting the hammers farthest from the strings for loudtone effects. Associated with the main hammer-rail -3 is an auxiliary hammer-rail made up of a series of sections -4-'- arranged end to end, preferably above and parallel with the maln hammer-rail -3-,r @ich of the sections -4 being arranged to engage the heel of a limited number or set, of in this instance three, adjacent hammers. and is movable separately from the other to separately control the action of this particular set of hammers. Each hammer-har or section -4- is actuated by a separate pneumatic 5- and pendant arm --(3--, which is secured to the movable side of its pneumatic --5- and is rigidly attached to its corresponding bar -4- so that each of the bars -4- is provided with a separate actuating mechanism consisting of the pneumatic -5 and pendant arm -6-. These pneumatics -5- are secured side by Iside upon the under side of a valve chest -7-- having a valve chamber -8- which is connected by a conduit -9- to an air exhausting device -10-, best seen in Fig. 1, and is common to a series of valves -11- movable in the valve chamber -8-, there being one of these valves for each of the pneumatics --5--. This valve chest 7q also contains a series of primary pneumatics --12-, one for each of the valves -11-, and each primary pneumatic is connected by a separate conduit 1S-- to one of a corresponding number of vent ducts -14- in a suitable head or block l5- said ducts --14-- heilig adapted to be opened and closed to atmosphere by means of a movable valve -16-, consisting in this in-` stance, of a sliding bar having an aperture invention. Fig. :2 is a transverse sectional t 17 opening to atmosphere.

The valve ---16-w is slidable in suitable ways in the head or block l5-to register its single aperture -17- with any one of the several apertures -14- so as to admit atmospheric air to the corresponding primary pneumatic -12, for a purpose hereinafter described, the valve 1G-'being provided with a suitable indicating finger 18- which is movable transversely of a perforated music-sheet -19- to register with the perforations representing the part of the musical composition which is to be emphasized or subdued, said music-sheet being provided with a tracer line -20- following such perforations, and which forms the subject-matter of my pending application No. 391189 filed Sept. 3, 1907.

The perforated music-sheet is mounted upon suitable winding and rewinding rollers -21 and Q2- and its intermediate portion is adapted to vtravelacross a suitable tracker board Q3- having vent ducts --24- leading to the pneumatic action (not shown) of the self-playing musical instrument. The valve-c est -7- is provided with a number of ports 25-, one for each valve -11-, each leading from the valve chamber -8- to atmosphere, and is also rovided with a corresponding number of y-passes --26 each leading from one of the ports -25- to the corresponding pneumatic -5-. Each of the valves -11- is provided with a stem -28- guided in and of less cross sectional area than its corresponding port -25-, and upon which is mounted a second valve -29- for opening and closing the outer end of the port -25-, and thereby opening and closing communication between the corresponding pneumatic -5- and atmosphere through its by-pass Q6-1 while the valve -11- coaets with the inner end of the port --25- to control communication between the valve chamber h-8-- and the same pneumatic -5- through the same by-pass. It is now obvious that when the device is in action the slide valve 1G- and its indicator -18- may be shifted transversely of the record-sheet to follow the perforations representing a part, such as the melody or accompaniment of the musical composition as they are represented to the corresponding ducts of the tracker-bar -Q3-, thereby bringing the vent-duct -17- of the valve -16- into registration with the ducts --14-, allowing atmospheric air to enter the corresponding primary pneumatics -12-, and successively inating the latter to close the valve -11- and open the valve m29- to establish comnnmication between the corresponding pneumatics -5- and atmosphere, thus inflating said pneumatic -5- to throw its .corresponding hammer-bar section 4 rearwardly and allon'ing the corres onding hammers controlled thereby to rece 'e from the strings -1- for loud-tone effects while the other pneumatics 5 corresponding to the ducts -14- which are not in communication with the vent-opening -17- of they valve-lG- are deflated, thereby throwing their hammer-bar sections -4- and corresponding hammers nearer to the strings -1 for soft-tone effects. That is, in this particular instance, all of the pneumatics -5- except the one corresponding to the duct -14- which may be in communication with atmosphere through the registerin duct -17- of the 4valve 1G- are deflate to throw the corresponding hammers nearer to the strings and away from the main hammer bar -3--. This is accomplished in the following manner: When the ducts 14 are closed to atmosphere by the shifting of the vent duct --17-- of the valve -16- out of registration therewith the corresponding primary pneumatics -12- are cut off from communication with atmosphere and subjected to the influence of the exhaust iny the chamber -8- through a bleed-hole -12-, which allows the valve -11- to open and the valve -29- to close, thereby cutting o' communication between the corresponding pneumatics -5- and at-v mosphere, and establishing communication between said pneumatics and the exhaust device -10- through the valve chamber -8- and by-pass 26, which causes the immediate deflation of said pneumatics --5 to shift the corresponding hammerbar sections -4- and their hammers -2- nearer to the strings 1-, thus subduing al1 of the tones except those which are controlled by the registration of the single vent --17- of the valve -16- with one of the ducts -14-. In other words, the hammers corresponding to the music-sheet perforations representing one part of the musical composition are permitted to return against the main damper bar -3- farthest from the strings slightly in advance of the registration of such perforations With their corresponding ducts on the tracker-bar Q3- to give greater emphasis to the corresponding tones, while the remaining hammers are held nearer to the strings for subduing the remaining parts of the musical composition. For example, assuming that it is desired to emphasize the melody, or rather to subdue the remaining parts of the musical composition, then the main damper-bar ---3- is caused to assume its normal or back position farthest from the strings and as the perforations representing the melody are brought to register with their corresponding ducts in the tracker-bar to cause the operation of the corresponding hammers, through the medium of any well known pneumatic action, not necessary to herein illustrate. or describe, the operator simply shifts the valve aliito correspond to the changing posiations of the perforations representing this particular part, as indicated by the perforations themselves, 0r by the line 20-, thereby bringing the vent -17- into communication with the primary pneumatics *l2- corresponding to the same hammers which would be operated by the registration off said erforations with their ducts -24-, except tliat in this particular instance, three adjacent hammers Q- are operated at the same time by their particular hammer-bar section -4- and corresponding pneumatic --5-, it being understood that in action, all of the hammer-bar sections -Jland their corresponding hammers -2- are thrown rearwardly away from the main hammerbars 3 and nearer to the strings lby the deflation of the operating pneumatics -5-, except those corresponding to the ducts -14- Whichmay be in communication with atmosphere through the valve vent -17-, in which case, the latter `hammers andtheir controlling hammer-bar sections 4L-- are simply released and return automatically, by gravity, or by springs (not shown) against the main hammer-bar -3, or farthest from the strings so that when operated by the pneumatic action (not shown) they will strike the strings with@ greater force and thereby produce louder tones than those which are nearer to the strings.

In iFig. 4 I have shown a modified form of hammer-controlling mechanism comprising .a valve-chest --30-, hammer-bar sections -31-, pneumatics +32- having pendant arms -33- for actuating the hammer-hars --31-, and a second valve shelf -34, which is connected by conduits -35- to the valve-shelf` --30- in a manner hereinafter described. The valve shelf -34 is provided with vent ducts --36 opening to atmosphere and normally closed by spring-actuated valves -37-, one for each of the vents -36-, such valves being adapted to be opened by finger-operated plungers -38- having catches or shoulders --394- adapted to engage fixed shoulders 40- for holding the valves in their open positions. there being one of these operating members -38- for each of the valves -37- and pneumatics --32--. Each vent -duct -36- is connected by its conduit B5-- to .a primary pneumatic 42 in the valve chest -30-, which latter is provided with a valve chamber --43- common to a series of valves -44--- The exhaust chamber -43- is similar to the valve chamber 8- of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and is similarlv connected to an exhaust device, as -10-. These valves -44- are movable in separate chambers -45-, each communicating with atmosphere through a port 4G- and with the exhaust chamber 43mthrough a port -t?--, and is also connected to its corresponding pneumatic -32- through a bypass -48-. Then `the vvents -36- are closed by .their valves -37-, the corresponding pneumatics -42- are defiated, allowing the valve 411- to close the port -47- and to open the port -46-, thereby establishng communication between the corresponding pneumatic 32- and atmosphere through the by-pass -48--, in which case, the pneumatic -32- is inflated to operate the hammer-bar section --31- and to allow the hammers controlled thereby to reeede to their .ffarthest position from thestrings and to rest against the hammer-rail -3-, so that when actuated by the pneumatic action (not shown) but controlled by the perforated music-sheet, they will produce loud-tone effects. In other Words, when it is desired to subdue certain parts of the musical composition, as for instance, the melody, the corresponding finger-piece 38 is depressed to open the adjacent valve -3T-, lthereby establishing communication between the primary pneumatic A2-- and atmosphere, causing said primary pneumatic to inflate and operate the valve 44- to open the port 117- and to close the ing communication between the exhaustibhamber 4B- and corresponding pneu` matic -32- to defiate the latter and operatc lthe corresponding hammer-bar section -31-, thereby throwing a limited number of the hammers '-2- nearer to the strings.` or away from the main hammerrail 3- so that their force of impact against the strings is reduced and the corresponding tone subdued. In-this particular instance, the hammer-bar section -w31- is of suflicient length to operate a number of :hammers corresponding A.to the probable ran-ge of the melody or accompaniment, which it may be desired to subdue.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I 'have shown a modified form of vent-controller to take the place of `the valves -16 and S7- shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In this particu-lar device I provide a cylinder 50"- with a series of radiating ducts Jilcorresponding to the ducts -13 and --5-, and which occupy substantiallyv half the circumference of the cylinder. lVithin this cylinder is fitted a revo-luble valve -52- having one or more ports -53- adapted to be brought into registration with any one of the ports or ducts M said valve -52- being provided with an internal chamber -54 communicating with atmosphere so that when thc valve is turned in the cylinder ---50-- to register one of the ports 5B- with one of the ducts ---51-, the primary pneumatic -l2w or W42, as the case may he. is brought into communication with atmosphere to efect the operations previously port -46-, thereby establish-y l described. This valve -52- may be rotated by any desired means, but is preferably provided with a pinion -56- meshing with a reciprocatory toothed rack -57-- having an indicating finger -58- adapted to be moved transversely of the perforated sheet -19- to follow the line 20- or the perforations representing the particular part of the musical composition to be emphasized or subdued. This valve is adapted to be rotated a quarter turn in either direction, and for this purpose it is provided with two of the ports -53-, both of which are normally out of registration with either of the ducts -51-, and when the valve is moved in one direction one of the ports may be successively registered with the ducts 51", while the other port is out of communication therewith, or this action may be reversed to bring the other port into registration with said ducts.

It will be observed from the foregoing description of the device shown in Figs. l and 2, that practically all of the hammers eX- cept those controlled by one of the sections of the hammer-rail, are shifted to a position to produce soft-tone effects, or in other words, are moved toward the strings, in which case, their corresponding actuating pneumatics are collapsed or deflated and their rail sections are correspondingly shifted toward the strings, and in order that Some means may be provided for allowing all of the hammers to simultaneously assume their normal position against the main hammer rail, the valve chest -7- is preferably mounted to tilt transversely, and for this purpose, is provided at its opposite ends with trunnions 6G- which are journaled in suitable bearings -61-, one end of said valve chests being provided with a pendantarm G2- which is connected to a manually operated rod -63- whereby the valve chest -7- may be tilted to throw all of the hammer-rail sections far enough forward to allow the hammers to rest against the main rail, or the same eHect may be produced by simply lifting the valve -16- from its seat to expose all of the ducts -14- to atmosphere simultaneously. On the other hand, if it is desired to shift all of the hammer-bar sections toward the strings simultaneously the valve 16 may be moved longitudinally to close all ofthe apertures or ducts --14-.

What I claim is:

1. In a self-playing musical instrument a system of note-sounding devices. and mechanisms for varying the force applied to operate said devices comprising a series of bellows, a support therefor, a sectional rail carried as to its several sections by the several bellows, each section acting upon a relatively small number of note-sounding devices,

severally, and separate means to shift the position of the bellows-support relatively to said note-sounding devices.

2. In a self playing musical instrument, a system of hammers, a hammer rail composed of sections, each coacting with a small group of hammers, a plurality of pneumatics each connected to one of the hammer rail sections to shift the corresponding group of hammers, a `rocking support for the pneumatics, and manually operated means for controlling the action separately of said pneumatics.

3. In a self playing musical instrument, a rocking support, means for rocking said-support, separately acting pneumatics mounted upon the support, separately movable hammer rail sections each rigidly connected to the movable side of one of the pneumatics, and means for causing the action of the pneumatics., one at a time, independent of each other.

4. In a self playing musical instrument, a

'system of strings and hammers therefor, a

plurality of pneumatics each controlling the action of a small group of hammers, a rocking support for the pneumatiqs, primary pneumatics one for each of the first named pneumatics, and means for controlling the action of the primary pneumatics.

5. In combination with a S stem of hammers and strings of a self-p aying musical instrument, a perforated music-sheet having one set of perforations representing the melody of a musical composition, means movable transversely of the music sheet to follow the different positions of the melody-perforations when,presented to a predetermined transverse line, and additional means brought into action by the movement of the first named means for causing the hammers corresponding to the melody perforations in the music-sheet to shift their position.

6. In combination with a set of hammers and strings of a self-playing musical instrument, a perforated music-sheet having one set of perforations representing the accompaniment of a musical composition, means movable transversely of the music-sheet to follow the perforations representing the accompaniment perforaticns as they are presented to a given transverse line, and additional means brought into action by the operation of the first-named means for shifting the position of a fractional portion of the system of hammers nearer to the strings than the remaining hammers of such system, the shifted portion of the hammers including those which correspond to the accompaniment perforations of the music-sheet.

7 In a self playing musical instrument, a system of strings and hammers therefor, a hammer rail composed of sections each acting upon a small group of hammers, sepameans to control the action of the bellows i rate operating pneumatica for said sections,

a rocking support for the pneumatics, separate primary pneumatics controlling the action of the first named pneumatics, and manually operated means for controlling the action of the primary pneumatics one at a time. r

8. In combination' with a system of hammers and strings of a self-playing musical instrument, a tiltable valve'chest and means to tilt the same, a hammer-rail composed of separately movable sections, separately movable actuating pneumatics yfor said hammer-rail mounted upon the valve chest, and manually operated means for controlling the action .of said pneumatics.

V9. In combination with the system of hammers and strings of a musical instrument, a transversely pivoted valve chest extending transversely ofl the strings and hammers, means to tilt the valve chest, a hammer-rail composed of` separately movable sections, separate actuating pneumatics for said Sections` mounted upon .the valve chest, and means for controlling thek action of said pneumatics, saidmeans including a manually movable member movable trans` versely of the record-sheet.

10. In a piano, the combination with the h am`mersof a main rest rail, means for moving the same toward or fronnthe ham- 'mers, -a series of bellows carried by the main rest rail, a' sectional rest rail carried as toits Several sections by the several bellows and means to control the expanding and collapsing of said bellows severally.

11. In apiano, the combination, with the hammers, of a main rest rail, a sectional rest rail, means for moving the main rest rail toward or fromthe hammers to limit the throw thereof, independent means -mounted upon the main rest rail and moving therewith for moving one or another of the several sections toward or from the hammers and an indicator operative-ly connected with the last namedmeans to show which of the several sections are moved toward or from the hammers.

12. In a piano, the combination with the hammers, of a .main rest rail, means for moving the same toward or from the hammers, a series of bellows carried by the rest rail, 'a sectional rest rail carried as to its several sections by the several bellows, means to control the expanding and collapsing of said bellows severally and an indicator operatively connected 'with such means to show which sections of the sectional rest rail are moved toward or from the hammers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of August, 1907.

Lewis B. DoMAN. 

